any of several species of small trees or shrubs of the genus Citrus of the family Rutaceae and their nearly round fruits, which have leathery and oily rinds and edible, juicy inner flesh. A number of species and varieties of orange are economically important, namely the China orange, also called the sweet, or common, orange (Citrus × sinensis); the...

Mangifera indica member of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) and one of the most important and widely cultivated fruits of the tropical world. The mango tree is considered indigenous to eastern Asia, Myanmar (Burma), and Assam state of India. Mangoes are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and D. The tree is evergreen, often reaching 15–18 metres (50–60...

Anacardium occidentale evergreen shrub or tree of the sumac family (Anacardiaceae), cultivated for its characteristically curved edible seeds, which are commonly called cashew “nuts” though they are not true nuts. The domesticated cashew tree is native to the New World but commercially cultivated mainly in Brazil and India. The seeds, rich in oil and...

Citrus maxima citrus tree of the family Rutaceae, grown for its large tart fruits. It is native to mainland Southeast Asia and the Malaysian portion of the island of Borneo. It is sometimes called shaddock, a name that is said to have derived from that of a captain who introduced the tree to the West Indies. The fruit is highly prized in Asia. The...

Citrus × paradisi citrus tree of the Rutaceae family and its edible fruit. The grapefruit probably originated in Jamaica as a hybrid of shaddock (Citrus grandis). It became well established as a fruit for home consumption in the islands of the West Indies before its culture spread to the American mainland. Grapefruit has become popular as breakfast...

Citrus × limon small tree or spreading bush of the rue family (Rutaceae) and its edible fruit. Lemon juice is a characteristic ingredient in many pastries and desserts, such as tarts and the traditional American lemon meringue pie. The distinctive astringent flavour of the fruit, either fresh or preserved, is also used to enhance many poultry, fish,...

Litchi chinensis evergreen tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), grown for its edible fruit. Lychee is native to Southeast Asia and has been a favourite fruit of the Cantonese since ancient times. The fruit is usually eaten fresh but can also be canned or dried. The flavour of the fresh pulp is aromatic and musky, and the dried pulp is acidic...

Fortunella genus of evergreen shrubs or trees of the family Rutaceae, grown for their tart fruits. Native to eastern Asia, these small trees are cultivated throughout the subtropics. Kumquat fruits may be eaten fresh, or they may be preserved and made into jams and jellies; in China they are frequently candied. Branches of the kumquat tree are used...

Citrus reticulata small thin-skinned variety of orange belonging to the mandarin orange species of the family Rutaceae. Probably indigenous to Southeast Asia, tangerine culture spread westward along trade routes as far as the Mediterranean. The fruit is cultivated in the subtropical regions of both the Old World and the New World, especially in southern...

(Acer), any of a large genus (about 200 species) of shrubs or trees in the family Sapindaceae, widely distributed in the North Temperate Zone but concentrated in China. Maples constitute one of the most important groups of ornamentals for planting in lawns, along streets, and in parks. They offer a great variety of form, size, and foliage; many display...

Rhus genus of shrubs and small trees belonging to the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), native to temperate and subtropical zones. Sumacs have been used as a source of dyes, medicines, and beverages, and the dried fruits of some species are used as a spice in Middle Eastern cuisine. The plants are also grown as soil binders and cover plants. The sumacs...

any of several species and hybrids of trees and shrubs in the rue family (Rutaceae), widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas for their edible acidic fruits. The Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia) is one of the most common commercial varieties, though the smaller key lime, or Mexican lime (C. × aurantifolia), is also economically important in...

(Nephelium lappaceum), tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). It is native to Malaysia, where it is commonly cultivated for its tasty fruit, also called rambutan. The bright-red, oval fruit, about the size of a small hen’s egg, is covered with long, soft spines and has a tasty acid pulp. The tree grows to about 10.5–12 metres (35–40 feet).

(Paullinia cupana), woody, climbing plant, of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to the Amazon Basin. It has a smooth, erect stem; large leaves with five oblong-oval leaflets; clusters of short-stalked flowers; and fruit about the size of a grape and usually containing one seed shaped like a tiny horse chestnut. The seeds are roasted and used...

Citrus medica small evergreen tree or shrub in the family Rutaceae, cultivated in Mediterranean countries and the West Indies. The fruit is used in Jewish religious rites, especially during Sukkoth, and the thick peel is cured in brine, candied, and sold as a confection in some places. The citron plant grows to a height of about 3.5 metres (11.5 feet)...

(Euphoria longana), tropical fruit tree, of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to Asia and introduced into other warm regions of the world. The tree grows to 9–12 m (30–40 feet). The flowers are small and yellowish white. The almost spherical, yellowish brown, edible fruit, which is also called longan, has a white and juicy pulp.

Blighia sapida tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) native to West Africa, widely cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions for its edible fruit. Ackee and salt fish is a popular dish in the Caribbean and is the national dish of Jamaica. Taken to the Caribbean area with slaves from Africa, the ackee tree was introduced to science...

Toxicodendron radicans poisonous vine or shrub of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), native to eastern North America. Nearly all parts of the plant contain urushiol. When the plant is touched, the substance produces in many persons a severe, itchy, and painful inflammation of the skin known as contact dermatitis. The plants are highly variable in growth...

Aegle marmelos tree of the family Rutaceae, cultivated for its fruit. The plant is native to India and Bangladesh and has naturalized throughout much of Southeast Asia. The unripe fruit, sliced and sun-dried, is traditionally used as a remedy for dysentery and other digestive ailments. The ripe fruit is sweet, aromatic, and cooling. The tree’s wood...

Ruta genus of about 40 species of perennial shrubs and herbs in the family Rutaceae, native to Eurasia and the Canary Islands. Common rue (R. graveolens) is cultivated as a small garden shrub for its evergreen leaves and dull-yellow flower clusters. The gland-studded, translucent leaves have been used for centuries as a spice and in traditional medicines....

(Acer saccharum) large tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to eastern North America and widely grown as an ornamental and shade tree. It is a commercially important source of maple syrup, maple sugar, and hardwood lumber useful in furniture manufacture and flooring. Some trees develop special grain patterns such as bird’s-eye maple (with...

(Acer rubrum), large, irregularly narrow tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), cultivated for its shade and spectacular autumn colour. It is one of the most common trees in its native eastern North America. The red maple grows to a height of 27 m (90 feet) or more on a straight trunk; the crown bears upright or spreading branches that become...

(Ailanthus altissima), rapid-growing tree, in the family Simaroubaceae, native to China but widely naturalized elsewhere. It has been planted as a yard and street tree in urban centres, because of its resistance to pollution, freedom from insects and disease, and ability to grow in almost any soil. The tree of heaven grows to 18 metres (60 feet) or...

any member of the genus Sapindus, of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), comprising about 12 species of shrubs and trees native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, the Americas, and islands of the Pacific. The leaves are divided into leaflets, which are arranged along an axis. The flowers are greenish or whitish and borne in large terminal...

the sumac family of flowering plants (order Sapindales), with about 80 genera and about 870 species of evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Most members of Anacardiaceae are native to tropical and subtropical areas of the world. A few species occur in temperate regions. Several species are economically important fruit and nut crops....

(Acer negundo), hardy and fast-growing tree, of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to the central and eastern United States. Introduced to Europe, it is widely cultivated there as an ornamental. The tree grows to 9–15 m (30–50 feet) tall. The compound leaves (rare among maples) consist of three, five, or seven coarsely toothed leaflets. The...

Schinus molle ornamental tree of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), native to dry South America and cultivated in warm regions. Its piquant fruits, often called “pink peppercorns,” are sometimes used in beverages and medicines because of their hot taste and aroma, though the plant is unrelated to true black pepper (Piper nigrum), the fruits of which...

the prickly ash genus of the rue family (Rutaceae), comprising about 200 species of aromatic trees and shrubs native to the middle latitudes of North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. There are both deciduous and evergreen species. They have small, greenish flowers and fruits that consist of groups of two-valved capsules, each containing...

(Melicoccus bijugus), tree, of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to the West Indies. It grows to about 15 metres (50 feet). The flowers are small, greenish white, and fragrant. The green fruit is a drupe (a single stony seed covered by soft, fleshy tissue) with yellow or white tasty, juicy flesh.